Disclaimer: I don't own The Dark Artifices, Cassandra Clare does.
Author's Note: Again, I'm sorry for the wait guys, I'll try to update faster next time. I'm really happy that you guys enjoyed the last chapter! A special thanks to The Purple Warlock and LeoAndrea for your amazing reviews! I hope you enjoy the chapter and as always tell me what you think in a review.
Chapter 6: An Attack
That night, Kieran and Mark curled together under Kieran's warm blanket. They stayed up well into the night, whispering softly together so that the others wouldn't wake. There seemed to be a bubble of happiness around them, Mark thought, a bubble that seemed to protect them from the cruelty of the other hunters.
"You know," Mark whispered to Kieran, "I heard Gwyn speaking with the others earlier, he mentioned a visit to one of the Unseelie King's domains."
Kieran raised an eyebrow at that. "My father holds a huge revel every summer," Kieran explained, "I believe that he has decided to ask the Hunt to join it."
Mark glanced at the prince with interest. "Could that be because of you?" He asked softly, unsure if Kieran would like this line of questioning.
"I do not see why it would be," He said a little bitterly, "He has not shown much regard for me in the past."
Mark decided to let the subject drop because he could see that Kieran did not want to discuss it further. Instead they spoke together of their future in the hunt, and the adventures that they would have together. Finally, after many contented hours, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, they rose as usual and rode out with the other hunters. For some reason, Mark felt a certain feeling of uneasiness in the pit of his stomach that he could not quite explain. He glanced sideways at Kieran, to see if he felt it too, but Kieran seemed calm, and a slight smile was playing around the corners of his mouth.
Catching Mark's eye, Kieran caught the hint of unease in his expression and frowned slightly.
"Mark?" He asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"I'm not quite sure," Mark admitted, "I feel a little uneasy...and I'm not quite sure why."
Kieran gave him a faintly worried look, but before he could answer a volley of arrows whistled past them, so close that they tore their clothes.
"What is going on?" Kieran asked, surprise evident in his tone as he looked around. Out of the shadow of the trees came a group of faeries, all dressed in gleaming white armour that reminded Mark unpleasantly of Meliorn's.
"They're from the Seelie court," Mark muttered, "But what are they doing here? No faerie in his right mind would dare to challenge the hunt."
Apparently, the rest of the hunters were thinking the same thing, because they had all stopped now, staring with incredulous eyes at the Seelie knights.
"What is your business here?" Said Gwyn sharply, moving forward towards the group, "Why are you not with your Lady?"
"Our Queen has vanished," Said one of them simply, "We have decided to go our own way, the Fair Folk must change, because if we continue as we have been, then they will be destroyed."
With that, the knights drew their weapons, clearly ready to attack.
"You would be fools to attack us," Thundered Gwyn, "Not only do we outnumber you, we also outmatch you."
"That may be," One of them said, "But your people are part of the old ways of the fey, and the old ways are poison to us." At his words, they surged forward, attacking the hunters with viciousness and skill. The hunters attacked back, but just as it looked like they were winning, more Seelie knights appeared and the fight continued.
Mark and Kieran fought the enemy side by side. They made an excellent team, and they dispatched the enemy quickly and efficiently. As two of the knights approached them, they slashed out with their swords, knocking the enemy back. As the two faeries fell, Kieran suddenly cried out, falling sideways off his steed. Mark leaped down beside him, but he saw with horror that an elf arrow had pierced Kieran's shoulder no doubt sending poison into his veins, and blood was quickly spreading around the wound. He froze with shock and horror, no, he thought, this can't be happening. No way can I be losing someone else. As he thought it, he saw a dark figure hovering over hm... with a wicked-looking sword in his grip. With a vicious grin, he brought the sword down.